Sacred Music Council 2025 Boyajian Young Choir Directors Program
The Sacred Music Council (SMC) has officially announced its 2025 Boyajian Young Choir Directors Program (BYCDP) to take place at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary from Monday, July 7 to Wednesday, July 9. The Rev. Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan will act as the Program Coordinator for the 2025 BYCDP.
This year’s program will focus on conducting techniques, sight-singing, and vocal training. Participants will receive instruction from leading musicians from across the Diocese, who will share both their expertise and practical experience. Each day of the event consists of four 75-minute instructional sessions, and time for fellowship and sports competitions after classes.
The BYCDP 2025 is designed for young individuals who have demonstrated leadership qualities in their communities and possess a strong musical foundation. Participants will be nominated by their parish priests, with final approval by the Sacred Music Council.
Candidates should at least be 13 years old, possess basic music-reading skills, the ability to read Armenian (or at least follow English transliterations,) and at least one year’s worth of participation in parish life. Applications must be submitted by June 1, 2025.
SMC will fully underwrite the cost of participation (tuition and boarding, but not the travel expenses.) To view the registration form, click here. For more information, contact Der Hovhan at (847) 644-7389 or smc@armeniandiocese.org.
Since 2004, the Sacred Music Council (SMC) has sponsored the Boyajian Young Choir Directors Program (formerly known as the Junior Choir Leadership Development Program). The program was previously held at the Ararat Center and St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in 2004, 2005, and 2007–2013, with the 2006 session conducted in Armenia. BYCDP is designed for 3 years.
St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in Armonk, NY, was founded in 1962 by Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan, and has trained men and women to serve in a variety of capacities in the Armenian Church. The seminary is under the leadership of the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, who serves as its dean. The seminary offers two graduate-level programs, the Master of Divinity degree and the Master of Arts degree in Armenian Christian Studies. St. Nersess seminary also offers a variety of youth and high school programs on Armenian culture, history, and faith. Additionally, it holds regular deacons training, music education, and religious education programs for adults. To learn more about St. Nersess Seminary and its programs, visit www.stnersess.edu, or contact the seminary at (914) 273-0200.